Backpack

ABSTRACT

A backpack construction includes a back panel with shoulder straps and an optional horizontal back support cushion to enhance comfort when the back pack is positioned on the back of an individual. The back pack further includes a number of arcuate or curved panels which are joined together by fasteners to provide multiple access openings to the back pack through the top side thereof.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This is a utility application incorporating by reference and claimingpriority to provisional application Ser. No. 60/682,592, filed May 19,2005 entitled “Backpack”.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In a principal aspect, the present invention relates to a luggage item;namely a backpack comprised of multiple panels sewn and fastenedtogether to form an enclosure with straps for support of the backpackand various fasteners for attaching the separate panels to each otherand enabling access to the interior of the backpack.

The use of backpacks is umbiquitous. Students use backpacks to carrytheir papers and books. Travelers use backpacks to carry itemsassociated with their travel. Business persons use backpacks to carrybusiness papers and associated materials.

Typically, backpacks include a back side panel with vertical shoulderstraps affixed thereto. An array of attached panels and flaps sewn tothe back panel form an enclosure and provide for access to the interiorof the backpack. Many various designs of backpacks are available in themarketplace.

Despite the availability of many types of backpacks having variousshapes and configurations, there remains the need to provide designswith improved access, comfort and portability.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly, the present invention comprises a backpack construction whichincludes a back side panel with a hand hold carry flap on the outsideface of the back side panels centrally located near or along the topedge thereof. First and second shoulder straps extend from adjacent thehand hold carry flap and are connectable to the lower margin of the backside panel and more particularly, to a cushion affixed horizontally tothe lower margin. An assembly of arcuate side enclosure panels areattached to the back side panel and a bottom panel. The side enclosurepanels are joined together by fasteners such as zippers and are designedto permit access to the interior of the back pack from the top side attwo entry points. The front side of the back pack includes a nameplatepanel affixed thereto by means of elastic bands to reinforce the frontside panel.

Thus, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved back packconstruction.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a back pack whichincludes multiple access openings from the top side of the back pack tothe interior enclosure.

Another object of the invention is to provide a back pack constructionwhich includes shoulder straps, hand holds and fasteners which providefor comfortable carriage of the back pack and ease of adjustment of themeans for carriage of the back pack.

These and other objects, advantages and features of the invention areset forth in the detailed description which follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

In the detailed description which follows, reference will be made to thedrawing comprised of the following figures:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of the backpack of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a top elevation of the bag of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top elevation of the bag of FIG. 1 wherein the panelsforming the bag have been closed;

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the back side of the backpackillustrating the hand hold or hand grip construction;

FIG. 5 is an isometric view of the name plate construction associatedwith the backpack of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the name plate depicted in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a side elevation of the name plate of FIG. 6; and

FIG. 8 is an end view of the name plate of FIG. 7.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the figures, the backpack of the invention includes a backside panel 10 having first and second generally vertical, but divergingcarry straps 12 and 14 affixed to the upper side or edge of the backpanel 10 near the center thereof. Straps 10, 12 each extend downwardlythrough an adjustable buckle 16 that connects to a further strap 18attached to a side wing or horizontal cushion panel 20. The wing orpanel 20 is also attached at the lower edge of the backside of the backpanel 10. The back panel 10 has a generally straight lower side 21,opposite lateral sides or edges 23, 25 that extend upwardly from thelower side edge along an arcuate pathway to join at the top of the backside panel 10.

Affixed to the back panel 10 is a generally horizontal lower side orbottom side panel 22. Extending upwardly from the bottom side panel 22are a series of arcuate panels including a first arcuate side panel 24which is joined to a second arcuate side panel 26 along a bridge section28. A front arcuate panel 30 is also joined to the bottom panel 22 andto the arcuate shaped side panels 24 and 26. The component panels 24,26, 30 are joined by means of zippers, for example, zippers 32 and 34,so that the panels 24, 26, 30 may be opened as depicted in FIGS. 1 and2. Side gussets 38 and 40 join the front panel 30 to the arcuate firstand second side panels 24 and 26. Side gussets 42 and 44 join thearcuate side panels 24 and 26 to the back panel 10. The access to theinterior of the backpack may thus be effected by opening either thezipper 34 or the zipper 32 or both zippers 32, 34. Dual access isthereby provided to the backpack.

Flap 50 is sewn to the back panel 10 with an open lower edge 52. Theflap 50 is sewn along its sides 54 and 56 as well as its top edge 58 tothe back side panel 10 with the open lower edge 52 enabling carrying orhandling of the backpack as depicted in FIG. 4.

As an optional feature there is affixed to the front side panel 30 onthe outside thereof of a name plate 60 with elastic or bungee cords 66,68 attached thereto. This arrangement provides multiple functions. Forexample, the bungee cords are elastic and may thus facilitate holding ofan article against the front side panel 30. Additionally, the name plate60 associated with this arrangement holds the bungee cords in fixedposition to facilitate efficient holding of articles and support of thepanels 24, 26, 30 when open. In addition, the name plate 60 functions asa name plate wherein a brand information or identification informationmay be placed thereon. Thus, the invention contemplates a name plate 60which has a generally ellipsoid shape and which includes first andsecond through passages 62 and 64 for receipt of bungee cords or elasticcords 66 and 68, respectively. The bungee cords or elastic cords 66 and68, respectively, may be attached to the sides of the front panel 30 asdepicted, for example, in FIG. 1 or to the side edges of the back sidepanel 10.

With the backpack construction of the invention as an optional feature,there is depicted in FIG. 3 the incorporation of a dual component frontpanel 30. As depicted in FIG. 3, the front panel 30 is divided into aright hand panel section 30 a and a left hand panel section 30 b.Sections 30 a and 30 b are connected one to the other by means of azipper 31. Thus, the backpack is comprised of a series of arcuate panelswhich have a generally triangular shape including the panels 24 and 26which are joined by a bridge section 28 and the separate panels 30 a and30 b which are connected together and connected to the side panels 24and 26 by means of zippers.

While there has been set forth a preferred embodiment of the invention,it is understood that the invention is limited only by the followingclaims and equivalents.

1. A backpack comprising, in combination: a back side panel having anoutside face, an inside face, a bottom side edge, a first arcuate sideedge, a spaced arcuate second side edge, said first and second sideedges joined at a substantially central location, a first back straphaving an end attached to the outside face generally at the centrallocation, a second back strap having an end attached to the outside facegenerally at the central location, said strap having an opposite endattached to the outside face adjacent the bottom side edge, said secondstrap having an opposite end attached to the outside face adjacent thebottom end; a hand hold carry flap on the outside face generally at thecentral location positioned under the first and second straps; anassembly of enclosure panels covering the inside face, said assemblyincluding a first generally arcuate bottom side panel attached to thebottom side edge and extending outwardly from the bottom side edge andhaving a generally semicircular pattern; a second panel affixed to thefirst panel and connected by a detachable fastener to the back sidepanel in the form of an arch, a third panel affixed to the first paneland connected by a detachable fastener to the second panel to partiallyenclose the arch formed by the second panel, and a fourth panel affixedto the first panel and connected by detachable fasteners to the secondpanel and the third panel to complete the backpack enclosure, saidsecond panel detachable from the back side panel along the arcuate sideedges, said third and fourth panels detachable from the second panel andfrom each other to provide access to the enclosure.
 2. The backpack ofclaim 1 further including a faceplate on the outside of the assembly ofenclosure panels, said face plate including first and second spacedpassages therethrough, said faceplate held on the backpack by first andsecond elastic cords, each cord connected at the opposite ends thereofto the backpack, said first cord passing through the first passage inthe faceplate, said second cord passing through the second passage. 3.The backpack of claim 1 wherein the detachable fasteners comprisezippers.
 4. The backpack of claim 1 further including flexible gussetsconnecting the second panel to the back side panel.
 5. The backpack ofclaim 1 further including flexible gussets connecting the third andforth panels to the second panel.